Former Bayer and Pharmacia Senior Executive Rolf A. Classon Joins the Sequana Medical AG Board as Chairman

ZURICH, July 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Sequana Medical AG, a privately held medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative, implantable pump systems to manage fluid build-up in patients with liver disease, congestive heart failure and certain cancers, announced today that Rolf A. Classon, former top executive of Bayer AG and Pharmacia AB, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.

"We are delighted to welcome Rolf in the key position of Chairman," noted Noel L. Johnson, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Sequana Medical. "His extensive experience as a senior officer and Board member of a number of international medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, gives him an excellent vantage point from which to help steer Sequana Medical in the next phase of its growth."

"I look forward to working with the Sequana Medical Board of Directors and management team to bring my experience to bear as the company furthers the international commercialization of its unique alfapump® System for patients with liver disease, and continues its development activities in key markets such as management of fluid overload in patients with advanced heart failure," stated Mr. Classon.

In addition to Sequana Medical, Mr. Classon currently serves on the Boards of NYSE and Zurich Stock Exchange-listed companies, Catalent Pharma Solutions, Fresenius Medical Care, Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. and Tecan Group Ltd., and recently stepped down from the Boards of Aerocrine AB and Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. after successful sale of the companies.

From 2005 to 2006, Mr. Classon was Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Batesville, IN-based Hillenbrand Industries. Prior to that, between 1991 and 2004, Mr. Classon held a number of key positions within Bayer, including Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bayer Healthcare in Germany and President of Bayer Diagnostics. Mr. Classon holds a Pol. Mag. from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the Gothenburg School of Engineering.

Note to Editors 

About Sequana Medical:  

Sequana Medical is a commercial stage medical device company and the leader in the active transport of fluids within the body. 

Our first product, the alfapump® System, is a fully implantable battery-powered pump that is charged through the skin, for the management of refractory ascites (chronic fluid build-up in the abdomen), a frequent complication of late-stage liver disease and certain cancers.  The alfapump System is one of the first real alternatives to large-volume paracentesis, a lengthy, invasive and painful procedure that can require weekly hospital visits for drainage of excess fluid.  By moving ascites to the bladder, where the body can eliminate it naturally through urination, the alfapump System prevents fluid build-up and its possible complications, improving patient quality of life and reducing hospital visits and healthcare costs. Our DirectLink Technology allows clinicians to monitor pump performance and more effectively manage patients treated by the alfapump System.  The alfapump has received the CE Mark and is commercially available in 14 countries.  The alfapump System is currently under evaluation in the US under an IDE study which will be completed by the end of 2016.

We will commence a feasibility study for the use of the alfapump in the management of fluid overload in advanced heart failure before the end of 2016. Fluid removal via peritoneal dialysis can be an effective therapeutic approach for advanced heart disease.  We believe our technology can directly address the key clinical challenge of fluid overload, with significant benefits for diuretic refractory patients, including those with HFpEF where there are few current device options. Other indications where Sequana Medical's pump technology has clinical benefit include malignant ascites and chronic pleural effusion.

The Company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland and our investors include NeoMed Management, VI Partners, Biomed Invest, Capricorn Health Tech, Entrepreneur's Fund and Life Science Partners.  For further information, please visit http://www.sequanamedical.com.

Contacts:
Sequana Medical AG
Laura Schneider
Marketing & Communications Associate
+41 44 403 55 96
laura.schneider[at]sequanamedical.com

Rx Communications Group (Investors and Media)
Melody A. Carey
917-322-2571
mcarey[at]rxir.com

SOURCE Sequana Medical AG